Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Second Battle of Sirte’ D.S.M. awarded to Chief Stoker A. E. Gaby, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Jervis

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (K.56897 Ch. Sto.) nearly extremely fine £500-600

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 September 1942: ‘For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Ships... Jervis...in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces, which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important convoy.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1942: Chief Stoker Edward Albert Gaby, H.M.S. Jervis.’

The second battle of Sirte, on 22 March 1942, remains the finest example of protective cruiser action. Again and again, the British ships, dodging in and out of smoke screens, turned the greatly superior enemy force away from the merchantmen. Though fourteen destroyers were damaged, the Italian fleet finally retired without accomplishing the destruction of the convoy.